High School Basketball Star Actually A 22-Year-Old Man

According to reports, a student from West Texas who was the driving force behind Permian High’s appearance in last season’s state playoffs was exposed today as actually being a 22-year-old man.

Reports from school officials say that 16-year-old Jerry Joseph is really 22-year-old Guerdwich Montimere, a former basketball player from Fort Lauderdale.

Officials started having suspicions about the player’s identity when three Florida basketball coaches who were familiar with Montimere recognized him last month at an amateur tournament in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Odessa American reported that the coaches recognized him as Montimere, who graduated from Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale in 2007.

ECISD Police and ICE agents confirmed that Permian Sophomore Jerry Joseph is really 22-year-old Guerdwich Montimere, a former basketball player from Dillard High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

After being confronted, Montimere admitted that he lied, he was then arrested and charged with presenting false identification to a peace officer.

ESPN caught up with the district’s Athletic Director, who was baffled by the situation:

“I feel like I was hit by a ton of bricks,” district athletic director Leon Fuller said. “In my 50 years in education, I’ve never heard of anything like this.”

“”This affected a lot of people. The whole school of Permian embraced that kid. He deceived us and played on everyone’s emotions.”

According to reports, if convicted of the charges Montimere could face up to 6 months in jail and up to a $2,500 fine. This revelation would mean that Permian High will have to forfeit the 2009 season that Montimere played, in which coincidentally he was recognized statewide with the “Newcomer of the Year” award….SMH